Seven years since Rafa Nadal married Mery Perelló: two Rosa Clará dresses, Juan Carlos and Sofía among the guests, and phones handed to security

On 19 October 2019, Rafael Nadal and Mery Perelló said "I do" - or rather "sí, vull", in Mallorcan. The ceremony took place at Sa Fortalesa, a 17th-century castle in Pollença, in the north of Mallorca, the island where they both grew up and where their story began. Exactly seven years have passed since that day.

It is a teenage love story. She was 17, he was 19 and just starting out in the sport that would later make him a legend. Mery went to the same school as Maribel, Rafa's sister. Fourteen years later they decided to marry - and at home, not on some exotic beach for the magazines.

The guests and the no-phones rule

Around 250 relatives and friends attended the wedding. Among them were Juan Carlos and Sofía, the former king and queen of Spain, Carlos Moyá and Carolina Cerezuela, Feliciano López and Sandra Gago, David Ferrer and Marta Tornel. The couple wanted strict privacy, so guests handed their mobile phones to security at the entrance. The details only came out later.

The first dress: lace, art deco and a detachable train

Mery wore two dresses, both made to measure in the Rosa Clará atelier. For the ceremony: a romantic, refined design with a square neckline and long sleeves. The bodice was French lace inspired by art deco, with geometric and floral motifs and hand embroidery featuring tiny beaded appliqués. The skirt was natural silk crêpe, cut in a bell shape, with a detachable overskirt and train so the look could adapt to different parts of the day. The veil was natural silk tulle, and her hair was worn half down, in natural waves with the top discreetly pulled up.

The second dress: for dancing

For the party she changed into a lighter design in French Chantilly lace: a halter neckline, a mermaid silhouette and a deep open back. Comparisons with Meghan Markle's second dress from her wedding to Prince Harry were inevitable. One thing was clear - this dress was made for the dance floor, not for the photographers.

Mallorcan, reggaeton and a hangover kit

The wedding was officiated by priest Bartomeu Català, started about an hour later than planned, and much of the liturgy was in Mallorcan. Thanks to good weather, the ceremony, cocktails and lunch were all held outdoors. The menu was signed by chef Santi Taura: meat cannelloni with truffle béchamel, sea bass baked in paper and a lemon dessert. The late-night snack was prepared by Maca de Castro. After the banquet the guests danced to reggaeton until the early hours, and on the way out everyone received a personalised hangover kit, with the couple's names and instructions for the next day.

A Balkan wedding without phones on the tables sounds almost like science fiction. Nadal proved it can be done - all it takes is security stricter than the best man.